Method and apparatus for servicing engine cooling systems

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus, for servicing engine cooling systems, including a service inlet, a vacuum pump, a two-way solenoid interposed between the vacuum pump and the service inlet, a service outlet, a disposal hose, a new fluid tank, a pressure pump interposed between the service outlet and the new fluid tank, a three-way solenoid interposed between the service outlet and the two-way, solenoid, a low-level trigger mechanism, a flow control relief valve and other elements to enhance various modes of operation. The apparatus is capable of performing various operations, including closed-loop fluid cycle, fluid vacuum, fluid top-off, fluid exchange and fluid flow control.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/184,621, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,275, filed on Nov. 2, 1998,the benefit of priority from which is hereby claimed pursuant to 35 USC§ 120.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of vehicles' engines, andmore specifically, the present invention is directed to servicingengines.

2. Background

Engine manufacturers highly recommend that engine cooling systems beserviced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Lack of proper service can causeengine problems due to the fact that old coolant in the vehicle'sradiator system may no longer protect against rust or acids that canlead to a breakdown of the metal and aluminum parts in the engine.Periodic service intervals are recommended to protect the engine againstoverheating that can be caused by a break-down of the coolant'sprotective properties.

To this end, automobile service stations utilize various systems andmethods to replace old coolant in the radiator system with new coolantin accordance with the manufacturers' recommendation. Conventionalsystems, however, suffer from many problems. To mention a few,conventional systems cause coolant drainage and are environmentallyhazardous. To prevent coolant drainage, service operators must place apan under the vehicle to avoid coolant spill. Moreover, the radiatorpressure cannot be released prior to removing the radiator cap which canplace service operators in danger.

Furthermore, conventional systems require constant operator attention.For example, at the end of the coolant exchange, the operation must endimmediately, otherwise the vehicle's coolant continues to be drained,and as a result, the vehicle's engine can overheat and be damaged. Evenmore, at the completion of the coolant exchange, the conventionalsystems require the operator to add more coolant manually in order toadjust the level of coolant in the radiator system. To that end theoperator must either prepare a mixture of coolant and water, or prior tostarting the coolant exchange process, save some to a separatecontainer. At the end of the coolant exchange, the additional coolantmust either be deposited in the service system tank or be added to theradiator system by the operator. Indeed, such methods are extremelylabor intensive, unsafe and train consuming.

As another example of the shortcomings, in the existing systems, fluidflow control is achieved via a pressure switch that turns off the fluidflow completely when the system pressure reaches a predetermined levelby stopping the system and/or engine and then restarting the systemand/or engine when the system pressure falls below a second level. Theon-to-off transitions are greatly harmful to the service system and thevehicle's engine.

Accordingly, an intense need exists for apparatus and method forservicing engine cooling systems that can safely and efficiently solvethe existing problems in the art.

Further disadvantages of the related rat will become apparent to oneskilled in the an through comparison of the drawings and specificationwhich follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purpose of the present invention as broadlydescribed herein, there is provided method and apparatus for servicingengine cooling systems.

In particular, in one embodiment, method and apparatus of the presentinvention includes connecting a service inlet of the apparatus to asystem fluid outlet, connecting a service outlet of the apparatus to asystem fluid inlet, and pumping out the old fluid from the systemthrough the system outlet and the service inlet, pumping in,simultaneously with the pumping in step, the new fluid from a new fluidtank to the system through the system outlet and the service inlet. Inone aspect of the present invention, pumping steps are terminated whennew fluid level in the new fluid tank reaches a predetermined low-level.

In another aspect, when new fluid level in the new fluid tank reaches apredetermined low-level, a fluid path between the service inlet and theservice outlet is established such that system fluid cycles through theapparatus, but is not drained.

In one aspect of the present invention, the system fluid may be toppedoff with the new fluid remained, below the low-level mark, in the newfluid tank.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the service apparatusincludes a pressure relief valve coupled to the pressure pump at one endand coupled to an inlet of the new fluid tank at another end and therelief valve opens, partially or completely, in response to systempressure.

In another separate aspect, the service apparatus vacuums or pumps outthe old fluid without replacing it with the new fluid.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent with furtherreference to the drawings and specification, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and, together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1A depicts one embodiment of an engine cooling system serviceapparatus;

FIG. 1B depicts an example control panel of the engine cooling systemservice apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 depicts an example flow schematic of the engine cooling systemservice apparatus of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 3 depicts an example electrical schematic of the engine coolingsystem service apparatus of FIG; 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an engine cooling systemservice apparatus 100 of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 1A,the service apparatus 100 comprises a front control panel 150. Thecontrol panel 150 is shown in more derail in FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the control panel includes a fluid filer neck 115for adding coolant mixture to a reservoir tank 265 (see FIG. 2) of theservice apparatus 100. The control panel 150 further includes a tip-offswitch 145 that is used to top-off or add coolant to the engine coolingsystem (not shown) upon completion of the service procedure.

The control panel 150 also includes a three-position mode switch 140 forselecting the service apparatus 100 modes of operation. In oneembodiment, the mode switch 140, when placed in the center position,indicates that the service apparatus 100 is in off or by-pass mode ofoperation. The mode switch 140, when placed in the left position,indicates that the service apparatus 100 is in vacuum mode. The modeswitch 140, when placed in the right position, indicates that theservice apparatus is in fluid exchange mode.

The control panel 150 includes a low-fluid-level indicator light 110that illuminates when coolant mixture in the reservoir tank 265 (seeFIG. 2) falls below a predetermined low fluid level. The control panel150 further includes a service-in-progress indicator fight 105 thatilluminates when the service apparatus 100 is placed in fluid exchangemode. The control panel 150 also includes a pressure gauge 135 thatdisplays fluid pressure in the service apparatus 100.

Turning back to FIG. 1A, it is shown that the service apparatus 100 alsocomprises a tank-level indicator 125 that indicates the coolant mixturelevel in the reservoir lank 265 (see FIG. 2). The service apparatus 100further comprises a used coolant hose (inlet) 120, a new coolant hose(outlet) 130, a disposal hose 122, battery cables 138, a circuit breaker136 and a warning alarm 137. The used coolant hose 120 is used toreceive old coolant from the engine's outlet (not shown), and the newcoolant hose 130 provides new coolant from the reservoir tank 265 (seeFIG. 2) to the engine's inlet (not shown). The disposal hose 122 is usedfor transferring old coolant to a disposal tank (not shown). The batterycables 138 make it possible to utilize a vehicle's battery to providepower to the service apparatus 100. The circuit breaker 136 providescircuit protection to the internal circuitry of the service apparatus100, as described below. The warning alarm 137 is used to alert theoperator of the service apparatus 100, for example, when the reservoirtank 265 (see FIG. 2) falls below a certain level or becomes empty.

The service apparatus 100 further comprises a flow system 200 and anelectrical system 300, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

To begin a service process of a vehicle's engine cooling system usingthe service apparatus 100, the battery cables 138 are connected to thevehicle's battery (not shown). Next, the disposal hose 122 should beinserted in the disposal tank (not shown). As a preferred step, at thispoint, the used coolant hose 120 should be inserted into the vehicle'soverflow radiator tank (not shown). Next, the mode switch 140 should beplaced in vacuum mode to evacuate approximately half of the amount ofcoolant in the vehicle's overflow tank. The made switch 140 should thenbe placed in the off position.

In the next step of the process, the vehicle's overflow tank hose (notshown) should be disconnected and then used coolant hose 120 should beconnected to the vehicle's radiator nipple (not shown). Next, the modeswitch 140 should be placed in vacuum mode to evacuate more coolant. Atthis stage, the vehicle's pressure release lever (not shown) should bepulled to release any pressure and then the vehicle's radiator capshould be removed.

At this point, the used coolant hose 120 should be disconnected from thevehicle's radiator nipple and should be inserted into the vehicle'sradiator fill neck (not shown). Next, the mode switch 140 should beplaced in vacuum mode to evacuate coolant mod coolant in the radiatorpreferably falls below the vehicle's upper radiator hose connection. Asfor the next step of the operation, the used coolant hose 120 should beremoved from the vehicle's radiator and re-inserted into the vehicle'sradiator overflow tank, to evacuate the overflow tank completely usingthe vacuum mode of the service apparatus 100.

At this sage, the vehicle's upper radiator hose should be disconnectedfrom the vehicle's radiator inlet (not shown). Next, the new coolanthose 130 should be connected to the radiator inlet and the used coolanthose 120 should be connected to the vehicle's upper radiator hose. Atthis point, the mode switch 140 may be placed in fluid exchange mode mreplace used coolant with new coolant from the reservoir tank 265. Thisoperation should continue until the coolant level has reaches a middlepoint in the vehicle's radiator filler neck (not shown). Next, the modeswitch 140 should be placed in off mode and the vehicle's radiator capreinstalled securely.

At this step, the vehicle's engine should be started and the mode switch140 of the service apparatus 100 should be placed in fluid exchangemode. This operation should continue until the tank-level indicator 125indicates that new coolant has fallen below a low level or until thecoolant in the disposal hose 122 appears to be clean. If eithercondition occurs, the mode switch 140 should be placed in off positionand the vehicle's engine should be turned off.

In a preferred embodiment, when the reservoir tank 265 falls below apredetermined low level, the low-fluid-level indicator 110 illuminatesand the warning alarm 137 sounds to indicate that the fluid exchangeoperation has ended. At this stage, the service apparatus 100automatically reverts in the bypass or off mode and the vehicle'scoolant simply passes through the service apparatus 100 and rerun to thevehicle in a closed loop fashion. Once the mode switch 140 is placed inoff mode, the warning alarm's 137 audible sound becomes disabled.

At this point, the disposal hose 122 should be removed from the disposaltank and inserted into the vehicle's coolant recovery tank (not shown).Next, the service apparatus 100 should be placed in vacuum mode via themode switch 140 to fill the vehicle's coolant recovery tank. Once thevehicle's coolant recovery tank reaches an acceptable fluid level, theswitch mode 140 should be placed in off position to end the vacuumoperation.

For the next step of the service operation, the pressure gauge 135should be checked to verify that service apparatus 100 indicates zero orabout zero pressure. Next, the vehicle's radiator cap (not shown) shouldbe removed in order to assure that the coolant level in the vehicle'sradiator is below the upper radiator hose connection point. If thecoolant level in the radiator is unacceptable, the disposal hose 122should be inserted in a disposal tank—or preferably a clean tank—and themode switch should be placed in vacuum mode to drain the excess cleancoolant from the vehicle's radiator. Next, the service apparatus 100should be disconnected from the vehicle and the vehicle's upper radiatorhose should be connected to the radiator and overflow tank hose toradiator nipple.

At this stage, the new coolant hose 130 should be inserted into thevehicle's radiator filler neck and the top-off switch 145 should beturned on, i.e., placed in top-off mode, in order to fill or top-off thecoolant in the radiator. Preferably, similar top-off procedure should befollowed to fill or top-off the coolant in the radiator overflow tank,if deemed necessary. At this point, the service process is complete inaccordance with one exemplary method of the present invention.

Turning to the flow system 200, the aforementioned modes of operation ofthe service apparatus 100 are described below.

In one mode of operation, the service apparatus 100 is in off or by-passmode when the made switch 140 is placed in off position. The off made isthe default setting of the service apparatus 100. In this mode, when theservice apparatus 100 is connected to an operating vehicle, the serviceapparatus is in a flow through or by-pass mode. In other words, thecoolant fluid flowing from the vehicle passes through the serviceapparatus 100 and return to the vehicle's system.

Referring to FIG. 2, the off or by-pass mode may be described asfollows. A used coolant hose connector 205, preferably a hydraulicconnector, couples the used coolant hose 120 to the vehicle's radiatorsystem. Similarly, a new coolant hose connector 235, preferably ahydraulic convector, couples the new coolant hose 130 to the vehicle'sradiator system. In the by-pass mode, a vacuum solenoid 215, preferablya two-way solenoid, and a vacuum pump 220 are turned off such that nofluid may flow through the vacuum solenoid 215 or the vacuum pump 220.An exchange solenoid 225, preferably a three-way solenoid on die otherhand, is set such that the fluid passes through the exchange solenoid225 down to a used-coolant check valve 230. The used-coolant check valve230 allows used fluid to flow through and towards the new coolant hoseconnector 235.

As shown, a new coolant check valve 245 is strategically positioned toprevent flow of used coolant inwards the new coolant reservoir tank 265.A filter 210 is preferably placed in the fluid path to prevent unwantedparticles from blocking the fluid paths, the solenoids 215 and 225 orthe vacuum pump 220. The pressure gauge 240 also provides the operatorwith the service apparatus 100 pressure based on which the operator maydetermine as to whether the flow has been restricted. Accordingly, inoff or by-pass mode, used coolant enters the service apparatus 100,passes through the used coolant hose connector 205 and through the usedcoolant hose 120 through a filter 210, through the exchange solenoid225, trough the used-coolant check valve 230 and then through the newcoolant base 130 and the new coolant hose connector 235 back to thevehicle's radiator system (not shown).

Conventional service machines, however, merely provide an open hose thatcauses the vehicle's fluid to flow art of the vehicle's radiator systemwhen the vehicle's engine is running. As a result, the vehicle'sradiator system loses its fluid and the vehicle's engine overhears. Inthis exemplary embodiment of the present invention, on she other hand, aclosed loop is established in the off mode that causes the vehicle'sradiator fluid to return back to the radiator system while the vehicle'sengine is running. In other words, no fluid is taken out of thevehicle's radiator and an fluid is added, rather the used radiator fluidsimply cycles through the service apparatus 100 and returns back intothe vehicle's radiator system The off mode of the present invention iseven more advantageous in conjunction with the fluid exchange mode, asexplained below, wherein the service apparatus automatically reverts tothe off mode at the end of the fluid exchange mode and causes the fluidto circulate and not to be drawn out of the vehicle's radiator system atthe end of the fluid exchange process. In conventional systems, however,the operator must manually control this time critical process.

In the vacuum mode of operation, the vacuum pump 220 and the vacuumsolenoid 215 are activated hi apply vacuum to the vehicle's radiatorsystem. As a result, used coolant is pulled from the vehicle's systemthrough the used coolant hose connector 205 and the used coolant hose120, through the filter 210, the vacuum solenoid 215 and the vacuum pump220. The old coolant then flows to a waste check valve 270 to thedisposal tank (not shown) or a clean tank, if clean fluid is beingvacuumed.

The flow system 200 also includes a pressure pump relief valve 255 thatcan prevent an unwanted hydraulic pull that may be created due to bottomerrors. An unwanted hydraulic pull may occur if the operator erroneouslyconnects the new fluid hose 130 and the used fluid hose 120 to thevehicle's system in place of the other. In this case, an unwantedhydraulic pull is created between the new coolant hose connector 235 andthe used coolant hose connector 205 and the vacuum pump 220 that maycause new fluid to be drawn from the new fluid reservoir tank 265. Thepressure pump relief valve 255 is positioned to prevent new fluid to bedown from the reservoir 265 as a result of a hydraulic pull.

In conventional service machines, in order to prevent drainage ofcoolant into public drainage system, the operator must place a pan underthe vehicle to retain spills. The performance of this step is requiredby the environmental law to prevent drainage of hazardous materials.

When the service apparatus 100 is placed in fluid exchange made via themode switch 140, the service-in-progress indicator fight 105illuminates, and a pressure pump 260 and the exchange solenoid 225 areactivated. In this mode, the old fluid enters the service apparatus 100through the used coolant hose connector 205 and the used coolant hose120. The old fluid then flows through the filter 210, bypassing the pathincluding the vacuum solenoid 215 and the vacuum pump 220, because theyare both in off state, but flowing through the exchange solenoid 225 toreach the waste check valve 270. The exchange solenoid's 225 path to theused-coolant check valve 230 is deactivated so that flow of used fluidtowards the used-coolant check valve 230 is not allowed. Furthermore,the pressure pump 260 is activated to pump new fluid out of the newfluid reservoir tank 265 towards the pressure pump relief valve 255,passed the new fluid check valve 245 towards the new fluid hose 130 andthe new fluid hose connector 235 into the vehicle's radiator system. Anexcess pressure relief valve 250 is preferably positioned such that itis connected to the reservoir tank 265 at one end and between thepressure pump relief valve 255 and the new fluid check valve 245 at theother end. The purpose of the excess pressure relief valve 250 is toallow new fluid to revert back into the reservoir tank 265 partiallyincompletely depending upon the rate at which the vehicle's system isaccepting new fluid. The excess pressure relief valve 250 opens based onexcess pressure, so that the vehicle's engine or the service apparatus100 do not have to be shipped and restarted to adjust inflow or outflowof the fluid. Rather, the fluid flow is automatically controlled via theexcess pressure relief valve 250. In some conventional systems, anelectrical switch is used to stop the pressure pump at a given pressure.Accordingly, in such machines, the flow of fluid cannot be partiallycontrolled but path is either closed to open.

During the fluid exchange mode, the pressure gauge 240 provides theservice apparatus 100 pressure to the operator, so the operator maydetermine the flow speed and whether the flow is restricted. During thisoperation, a used-coolant check valve 230 is positioned to prevent flowof fluid to the exchange solenoid 225. The used-coolant check valve 230,however, may not be used in some embodiments, since the exchangesolenoid 225 may itself block flow of new fluid. Yet, the used-coolantvalve 230 serves an advantageous purpose, for example in the vacuummode, wherein the operator may erroneously utilize the new coolant hose130 rather man the used coolant hose 120 to vacuum fluid.

The top-off mode of operation is activated when the top-off switch 145is turned on. As described above, in one mode of operation the fluidexchange mode terminates when new fluid in the reservoir tank 265reaches a predetermined low level. At this stage, the reservoir tank 265preferably contains approximately three quarts of new fluid. The top-offmode of the service apparatus 100 overrides the low-level shut-down andallows more fluid, below the low-level in the reservoir tank 265, to bewithdrawn from the reservoir tank 265 in order to top-off the vehicle'sradiator system. In conventional systems, the operator must either makea batch of new fluid by mixing water and coolant or save some new fluidin a separate container in order to manually top-off the cooling systemand fill the radiator overflow tank at the end of the fluid exchangeoperation.

Activating the top-off switch 145 causes the low-fluid-level indicatorfight to go off. In this mode, the pressure pump 260 is activatedcausing new fluid to be pump out of the reservoir tank 265 towards thepressure pump relief valve 255, passed through the new fluid check valve245 to the new fluid hose 130 and the new fluid hose connector 235 intothe vehicle's radiator system. During the top-off mode, some new fluidmay revert back to the reservoir tank 265 via the excess pressure reliefvalve 250. As explained above, the excess pressure relief valve 250opens partially or completely depending upon the back pressure.

Turning to FIG. 3, an exemplary electrical system 300 of the presentinvention is illustrated. The electrical system 300 include a circuitbreaker element 305 in connection with the circuit breaker 136. Thecircuit breaker element 305 provide, protection to the electrical system300 against unwanted voltage fluctuations. The electrical system 300further includes four relays 315, 370, 375 and 380 that are set upaccording to the modes of operation of the service apparatus 100. Theelectrical system 300 also includes electrical connections for a servicefight 320 and a low-level fight 365 to provide illumination to theservice-in-progress indicator light 105 and the low-level-fluidindicator light 110, respectively. FIG. 3 further illustrates that theservice light 320 is in communication with a diode 310 and a top-offswitch 335 via the relay 315. As a result in the fluid exchange mode,the relay 315 is activated such that the service fight 320 providesvoltage in illuminate the service-in-progress indicator light 105 andalso to turn the pressure pump 340 on.

The electrical system 300 further comprises pump electrical connections340 and 345 to provide electrical voltage to pressure pump 260 and thevacuum pump 220, respectively. A low level switch 330 is also providedto terminate the exchange fluid mode and cause the service apparatus 100to revert to off mode when the reservoir tank 265 reaches apredetermined lowfluid level. As shown, the electrical system 300 alsoprovides an alarm electrical connection 360 to activate in deactivatethe warning alum 137. The alarm electrical connection is furtherconnected to an harm diode 355 that is coupled to the relay 370. Theelectrical system 300 further comprises solenoid electrical connections385 and 390 to control the operation of the vacuum solenoid 215 and theexchange solenoid 225, respectively.

While particular embodiments, implementations, and implementationexamples of the present invention have been described above, it shouldbe understood thin they have been presented by way of example only, andnot as limitations. The breadth and scope of the present invention isdefined by the following claims and their equivalents, and is notlimited by the particular embodiments described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A service apparatus for servicing a system, said apparatus comprising: a service inlet a first pump; a service outlet; a fluid tank; a second pump interposed between said service outlet and said fluid tank; and a second solenoid interposed between said service outlet and said first solenoid; wherein an inlet of said fist solenoid is connected to an inlet of said second solenoid, without said service apparatus being connected to said system.
 2. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a low-level fluid trigger causing said second pump to halt when said second fluid in said tank reaches a predetermined low-level.
 3. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first check valve interposed between said service outlet and said second solenoid.
 4. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a filter interposed between said service inlet at one end and said inlets of said first and second solenoids at another end.
 5. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fluid relief valve coupled to said second pump at one end and coupled to said service outlet at another end.
 6. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressure relief valve coupled b said second pump at one end and coupled to an inlet of said tank at another end wherein said pressure relief valve opens in response to system pressure.
 7. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a find relief valve coupled to said second pump at one end and coupled to a first check valve at another end, wherein said first check valve is coupled on said service outlet.
 8. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a check valve coupled to an output of said first pump.
 9. The service apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressure gauge interposed between said second pump and said service outlet.
 10. The service apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second solenoid is coupled at a first outlet to said service outlet, at a second outlet to an output of said first pump and at said inlet of said second solenoid in said service inlet.
 11. A service apparatus for servicing a system said apparatus comprising: a service inlet; a first pump; a first solenoid interposed between said first pump and said service inlet a service outlet; a fluid tank; a second pump interposed between said service outlet and said fluid tank; and a second solenoid interposed between said service outlet and said first solenoid; wherein said second solenoid is a three-way solenoid coupled at a first outlet to said service outlet, at a second outlet to an output of said first pump and at an inlet of said second solenoid to said service inlet.
 12. The service apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a low-level fluid trigger causing said second pump to halt when said second fluid in said tank reaches a predetermined low-level, and causing said three-way solenoid to establish a fluid path between said service inlet and said service outlet such that system fluid cycles through said apparatus.
 13. The service apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a first check valve interposed between said service outlet and said second solenoid.
 14. The service apparatus, of claim 11 further comprising a filter interposed between said service inlet at one end and said inlet, of said first and second solenoids at another end.
 15. The service apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a fluid relief valve coupled to said second pump to one end and coupled to said service outlet at another end.
 16. The service apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a pressure relief valve coupled to said second pump at oft end and coupled to an inlet of said tank at another end, wherein said pressure relief valve opens in response to system pressure.
 17. The service apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a fluid relief valve coupled to said second pump at one end and coupled to a first check valve at another end, wherein said first check valve is coupled to said service outlet.
 18. The service apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a check valve coupled to an output of said first pump.
 19. The service apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a pressure gauge interposed between said second pump and said service outlet.
 20. A method of servicing a system having an inlet and an outlet, said method comprising the steps of: connecting a service inlet of a service apparatus to said system outlet; connecting a service outlet of said apparatus to said system inlet; initiating a fluid-replacement process including the steps of: pumping out a first fluid from said system through said system outlet and said service inlet; and pumping in, simultaneously with said pumping out step, a second fluid from a second fluid tank to said system through said system service outlet and said service system inlet; terminating said fluid-replacement process; and cycling said second fluid, pumped into said system, through said apparatus, after said terminating step.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein in said step of cycling, said second fluid enters said apparatus through said service inlet and exits said apparatus through said service outlet back into said system.
 22. The method of claim 20 further comprising a step of cycling said first fluid through said apparatus prior to said step of pumping out said first fluid.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein in said terminating step, said pumping steps terminate when second fluid level in said second fluid tank reaches a predetermined low-level.
 24. A service apparatus for servicing a system having an inlet and an outlet, said apparatus comprising: a service inlet for receiving fluid from said system outlet; a service outlet coupled to said service inlet and directing said fluid to said system inlet; a filter; and a solenoid; wherein said fluid cycles through said service apparatus and said system, and wherein said filter is coupled at one end to said service inlet and at another end to a first end of said solenoid, and wherein a second end of said solenoid is coupled to said service outlet.
 25. A service apparatus for servicing a system having an inlet and an outlet, said apparatus comprising: a service inlet for receiving fluid from said system outlet; a service outlet coupled to said service inlet and directing said fluid to said system inlet; a filter; and a solenoid; wherein said fluid cycles through said service apparatus and said system, and wherein said filter is coupled at one end to said service inlet and at another end to a first end of said solenoid, a second end of said solenoid is coupled to one end of a check valve, and wherein another end of said check valve is coupled to said service outlet. 